|
Canucks prospects bonding in Vancouver, Alex Edler plays for gold at Worlds |
|
|
|
|
|
Troy Stecher's social media game has been on fire so far this offseason.
Not only is he treating us to a steady flow of adorable snaps of his new Bernese puppy, Phoebe—yesterday he gave us a look at the next generation enjoying some downtime at the Whitecaps game.
Next to Stecher, in order, we've got Andrey Pedan, Nikolay Goldobin, Jonathan Dahlen and Olli Juolevi. One Canadian, a pair of Russians, a Swede and a Finn.
Feels a lot like the vibe around these parts at the World Championship!
If you didn't wake up in time to see Canada's 4-2 comeback win against Team Russia yesterday, you missed out—just ask Jon Cooper.
Cooper has lived in the U.S. for most of his adult life, but his decision to coach Team Canada was fuelled by his childhood in Prince George, B.C. and those memories of great international tournaments of yesteryear. Going into Saturday's Canada-Russia semifinal, he was obviously excited to coach the next chapter of one of hockey's greatest rivalries—and it looks like he was even more excited to get the win.
I'm happy that Sweden beat Finland to set up the gold-medal game. Yesterday was my first chance to watch the Swedes play in this tournament and they've got a great team from top to bottom.
They came in with the tournament's most formidable defense, led by Cooper's own Tampa Bay Lightning top pairing of Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman—plus our own Alex Edler.
Edler scored his second goal of the tournament on Saturday to put Sweden up 1-0 early in the first period. He also turned the puck over to set up the first Finnish goal, three minutes later.
I had a chance to speak to Edler after the game about Sweden's success. "We've really played well as a team the last two games," he said. "I think that's our strength, our team effort."
In addition to the strong defense, the Swedes have been strong offensively. They've scored 36 goals in the tournament so far, compared to 38 for Canada. Going into Sunday's games, William Nylander leads all players with seven goals and Nicklas Backstrom has shown he had plenty to give after his Washington Capitals were knocked out of the playoffs, contributing six points in four games.
Did the fact that NHL players likely aren't going to the Olympics factor into his decision to join Team Sweden this year? "No. My body felt good after (the NHL season) and they asked me if i wanted to come. I feel like whenever you get a chance to play on the national team, I'm gonna take that chance."
Sweden got even tougher to play against when Henrik Lundqvist decided to join the team after his New York Rangers were knocked out of the playoffs by the Ottawa Senators. Lundqvist hasn't played at the Worlds since 2008 and said for him, the decision came down to the fact that there would be no Olympics next year, and a chance to play with his twin brother Joel, who's captain of Team Sweden this year.
"I think the last time we won the World Championship we had two twins on our team, so why not this time?" joked Swedish coach Rikard Gronborg after Saturday's game—hearkening back to when Daniel and Henrik Sedin fuelled the hometown win for the Swedes at the 2013 Worlds in Stockholm.
I'd never really thought of the Sedins and the Lundqvists in the same breath before—I guess because the Sedins are never apart and the Lundqvists are rarely together.
Joel and Henrik haven't been on the same team since they both suited up for Frolunda of the Swedish League during the lockout in the 2004-05 season. Their last previous international competition together was the 2002 World Junior Championship, so this is a special opportunity for both of them.
"He's one of the best goalies in the world, so obviously it's nice to have him back there," summarized Edler.
In his weekend column for The Province, Jeff Paterson mused on whether his success with Sweden might tempt Edler to consider waiving his no-trade clause with the Canucks in favour of joining a Stanley Cup contender.
Paterson's right—Edler's full no-trade would allow him to control where he lands, much as his old teammates Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa and Alex Burrows have all done to find themselves deep in the playoffs this year.
This is Edler's third World Championship and his fourth men's tournament if you also count the 2014 Olympics. Maybe being away from the Sedins this time around and being reminded that the Swedish brotherhood also holds with his other countrymen on other teams will encourage him to consider a new address next season.
Up till now, I thought the chance of Edler moving was zero. Today, I'll move the needle to...four percent. I wonder if the outcome of tonight's game will add more fuel to the fire?
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»